L’Edito de Raphaël Legendre : Faut-il revoir la carte des régions ? - 07/04
·3 min
The episode opens with Raphaël Legendre introducing a polemic about Alsace seeking to leave the Grand Est region through a new bill. He notes that regional elected officials are divided, with some pushing the bill while others oppose it. A group of regional presidents from various political backgrounds, including LR and PS, publicly criticized the text over the weekend, calling it a political and historical institutional fault. They even accused it of aligning with extreme-right demands. The bill aims to remove Alsace from the European collectivity formed in 2019 and restore it as a separate region, reversing François Hollande's earlier fusion. Legendre clarifies that Alsatians are not seeking autonomy or separatism, unlike Corsicans, but want a special status under Article 72 of the Constitution, similar to Paris or Lyon. He explains that regional presidents oppose this due to power concerns, fearing it could inspire similar moves elsewhere. The government, led by Matignon, also resists the bill, citing a decentralization law being prepared by Sébastien Lecornu and democratic issues, as 2 million Alsatians would decide without consulting others in Grand Est. Additionally, the bill lacks an impact study, making it unserious for reconfiguring a space of 5 million people. Legendre mentions potential complexities in transport, territorial planning, and economy, but notes Alsatians propose simplification by merging departments and regions to save costs, if jobs are cut. The episode concludes with uncertainty over the bill's passage, as it faces challenges in the National Assembly and is unlikely to pass in the Senate, with votes expected soon.
